The Rugby Football Union are understood to have made a formal request to Saracens to open negotiations with Paul Gustard about joining the England coaching team, Telegraph Sport has revealed.

While it is not yet certain if a deal can be reached to secure the services of Gustard, a source close to the England camp indicated that the RFU had already begun the process of attempting to recruit the 39-year-old.

It appears that new England head coach Eddie Jones has earmarked Gustard to become a central figure in a new-look management team that is eventually likely to see all three of the existing assistant coaches, Andy Farrell, Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt released from their positions.

Telegraph Sport revealed on Thursday that Steve Borthwick, the former England captain, had become the first piece of Jones’ coaching jigsaw to be put in place, with only the detail of his release from Championship side Bristol to be finalised.